Campfires, Bear Spray, and Big Towels: Why Camping is Good for the Soul

There’s something magical that happens when you leave behind the emails, the errands, and the endless to-do lists and step into the woods. Camping has a way of stripping everything back to the essentials—peace, quiet, good food, and (hopefully) no bear encounters. I’ve always believed that a little time in nature is good for the soul, but now more than ever, I’m craving that kind of reset.

And yes, I’m already making my packing list—and checking it twice, because forgetting your bear spray? That’s not a lesson you want to learn the hard way.

Why Camping Heals Something Inside of You

Let me get a little woo-woo for a moment: nature is medicine. It just is. When you camp, you’re surrounded by trees that don’t care about your inbox, rivers that keep flowing no matter what’s on the news, and starry skies that remind you how small your problems really are.

No phone buzzing, no meetings, no comparison games. Just stillness. Breathing fresh air that doesn’t smell like car exhaust. Listening to crickets instead of TikToks. Watching the fire instead of binge-watching Netflix. You come back to yourself out there—without even trying. That’s the beauty of it.

What I’m Bringing to Keep the Peace (and the Bears Away)

Now, don’t get me wrong. I may be looking for inner peace, but I’m not trying to do this the caveman way. I want comfort and clarity. So here's my gear list for this adventure—practical, a little quirky, and entirely me:

Duracell 3000L Tri-Power Lantern

Let there be light! And in this case, a lot of it. This beast of a lantern is my go-to for lighting up the campsite. Whether I’m cooking, playing cards, or doing a midnight marshmallow roast, I want to see what I’m doing. It’s bright, efficient, and totally reliable.

Sabre Frontiersman MAX Bear & Mountain Lion Spray

I love all God’s creatures...from a distance. This stuff sprays up to 40 feet, which makes me feel like a wilderness superhero. I’m not saying I want to reenact an episode of Dateline: Bear Edition, but if I do, I’m ready.

Beach Chairs (Yes, In the River)

This is my favorite part. I’m setting up my chairs right in the river, plopping down with my feet in the current, and pretending I’m at a five-star mountain spa. Cold river water, warm sun on my shoulders, and not a single screen in sight. Try it—life-changing.

Beach Chair Face-Down?

OK, hear me out: I found the ultimate river lounging chair. It’s padded, has a head hole like a massage table, and lets you lie face down without getting a crick in your neck. Want to read, scroll, or nap with your face in the clouds (or facing the current)? This chair is a dream. It even has a pop-in pillow for face-down comfort. I can’t wait to try it out on the river Ostrich’s Face-Down Beach Chair and I didn’t make this up.LOL 

Humu Surf Classic Lifeguard Hat

You know those giant straw hats lifeguards wear that say, “I take my sun protection and my style seriously”? That’s this hat. It’s iconic, it’s embroidered, and it’s become a total favorite for a reason. I love a sun hat that makes a statement and also keeps my scalp from getting crispy.

'Live with Aloha' Beach Towel by Humu Surf

These towels? Resort-worthy. Super plush, 100% cotton, and covered in sea turtles and a paddler motif—basically everything I need to feel like a beach goddess in the woods. They're soft, generous in size (30 by 66 inches!), and gives off a serious vibe with the universe energy. The fact that it says “Live with Aloha” just makes me happy.

Titan PRO Outdoor Cooler with Ice Saver™

This is not your average cooler. This one is a cold warrior. I love that it keeps ice frozen for days, even when the temps climb. Plus, it has a removable interior light (thank you, nighttime snack cravings) and a thermal Ice Saver™ cover that reduces melting from warm air. My chili is staying cold. Period.

Hustle Butter Mineral Sunscreen Lotion

Camping glow is cute. Sunburn? Not so much. I’m bringing Hustle Butter’s mineral sunscreen because it’s clean, effective, and doesn’t make me feel like I just slathered myself in drywall paste. It’s smooth, protective, and my skin actually likes it.

The Simple Joy of Doing Absolutely Nothing

One of the most beautiful things about camping is that time slows down. Coffee takes longer to brew. Conversations get deeper. Laughs get louder. There’s no rush, no agenda—just waking up with the sun and falling asleep when the fire dies down.

I’m not saying camping will solve all your problems. But it might remind you that not every problem is worth the stress in the first place. That some things can wait. That your nervous system needs this. That joy can come from a peanut butter sandwich in a hammock, or from the sound of the wind moving through the trees. 

Just Go

Whether you're pitching a tent in a local campground or going full “off the grid” for a few days, camping will give you something you didn’t even realize you needed. Time. Stillness. Sunlight. S’mores. All of it counts.

So grab your towels, your bear spray, your solar-powered everything, and your favorite people (or just your peace and quiet). Let yourself sink into the rhythm of nature. Because in a world that asks you to do more, be more, and scroll more—camping asks you to just be.

And that, my friend, is soul food.

Related Articles:

• The Art of Camping in Style and Comfort
• Top Tips for Camping in Summer